Francisco Rodriguez

Ken Davidoff of New York Newsday reports that the Padres are considering Francisco Rodriguez as a potential replacement for Heath Bell, who recently signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Marlins. Davidoff hears that they are also speaking with “pretty much all” of the other available free agent closer-types, so it’s hard to tell…

UPDATE III: The Mets might not be done addressing their bullpen. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the they are working on a 2-for-1 deal that is described as a “change of scenery” for all parties. Stay tuned. UPDATE II: Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM reports that the deal is done, pending…

Because that certainly seems to be the way things are going down at the moment. The Cardinals were supposed to be set at first base and in right field if Pujols departed, as Lance Berkman would move a first base position that fits him a whole lot better anyway and Allen Craig would take over…

Although the market for relievers seems in serious decline, especially in light of the Blue Jays’ trade for a closer and the Rockies’ struggles in giving Huston Street away, neither Ryan Madson or Francisco Rodriguez have any plans to accept arbitration offers, according to MLB Network’s Peter Gammons. Madson and K-Rod would be very interesting…

Here’s a list of the closers still available in free agency: Ryan Madson Francisco Rodriguez Francisco Cordero Brad Lidge Frank Francisco And following Toronto’s acquisition of Sergio Santos, here’s a list of all of the teams truly interested in spending significant dollars on a closer: The Boston Red Sox Really, that’s it. The Angels have…

Ryan Madson and Francisco Rodriguez were among those hoping the Blue Jays would spend liberally on a closer. Instead, those two got a nasty surprise today, as Toronto acquired Sergio Santos from the White Sox for top pitching prospect Nestor Molina. Santos, once a member of the Toronto farm system as an infielder before he…

Octavio Dotel‘s next contract figures to make some wonder why the Cardinals didn’t just exercise their $3.5 million option. According to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez, the Brewers, Cardinals, Mets, Reds and Tigers have all inquired about the free agent reliever. Dotel’s reps have already met with the Brewers and Tigers. Dotel, 37, had a 3.50 ERA…

Expect the rumors to come fast and furious as the league’s top executives converge on Dallas. The winter meetings officially start Monday, but the general managers will arrive and start talking among themselves this afternoon. With so much of the free-agent talent congregated at a few select positions, there could well be more trades than usual,…

Joe Posnanski’s latest tweet: I have been hold on for 10 minutes minutes while trying to BUY KC Royals’ season tickets. Seriously, how pathetic is my life? I’m not sayin’ that Joe Posnanski should get special treatment just because he’s a big famous Kansas City-based sportswriter, but that’s not the kind of publicity the Royals…

- Jair Jurrjens’ timetable is changing by the minute — and for the better. He was originally supposed to long-toss again in the next few days, but Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that he was out there today and could possibly pitch off a mound on Monday. Manager Bobby Cox is expected to release his…